Barca Blaugranes - Lionel Messi Injury Is Just a Bruise, Could Be Available for Next Match#GraciesTitohttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47187/barca-fave.png2012-12-06T00:35:12+01:00http://www.barcablaugranes.com/rss/stream/34973452012-12-06T00:35:12+01:002012-12-06T00:35:12+01:00Messi Injury: May Not Miss Any Time
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/g2wXiMNGR9awxD2-HXQyj-b-I6s=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47827685/large_barcablaugranes.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p align="justify"><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110061/lionel-messi">Lionel Messi</a> is out of the hospital and the tests are looking good. As expected, the MRI did not find any further internal damage. It is just a nasty bruise.</p>
<p align="justify">His availability for Sunday's La Liga clash versus Betis depends on how he recovers. Cules around the world should feel relieved it is nothing too serious.</p>
<p align="justify">They had feared the worst when Messi was carried off the field after a collision with Benfica's Artur. But initial reports suggested it was just the bruise, nothing more.</p>
<p align="justify">Those reports now appear to be correct.</p>
<p align="justify"><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.barcablaugranes.com/">Barcelona</a> may still be in a bind for the tricky trip to Seville if their star is not ready, but the Catalans should have enough firepower in any case to dispatch <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/la-liga/teams/real-betis">Real Betis</a>.</p>
https://www.barcablaugranes.com/2012/12/6/3733452/lionel-messi-injury-may-not-miss-any-timeLuis Mazariegos2012-12-06T00:05:34+01:002012-12-06T00:05:34+01:00Still Pending Tests, But Vilanova Confident Messi
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/g2wXiMNGR9awxD2-HXQyj-b-I6s=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47827685/large_barcablaugranes.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p align="justify">MRI tests usually take less than 24 hours, but until the results come back, no one will know for sure if there is serious damage from the injury Lionel Messi suffered in Barcelona's 0-0 match against Benfica.</p>
<p align="justify">But Tito Vilanova seems confident. "He won't be out for a long time," Tito told reporters in his post-match press conference.</p>
<p align="justify">Vilanova also defended his decision to play Messi in what was effectively a meaningless game, noting that a player can also be injured during training. "If he can't play against Betis on Sunday, so be it," the coach said.</p>
<p align="justify">The bruise on the front of the striker's left knee could sideline him for a match, but it appears his manager is not worried past that.</p>
<p align="justify">Messi was walking normally and appeared calm. As a precaution, he remains in the Hospital of Barcelona for now to have further tests.</p>
https://www.barcablaugranes.com/2012/12/6/3733312/still-pending-tests-but-vilanova-confident-messi-will-be-back-soonLuis Mazariegos2012-12-05T23:43:43+01:002012-12-05T23:43:43+01:00Lionel Messi's Injury: Probably Not That Serious
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/cU6IpXsfOPgY275IsqZCsbX7Cyw=/2x0:3996x2663/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/4488119/157687578.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>David Ramos</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Football fans around the world feared the worst when Messi went down in Barcelona's 0-0 draw with Benfica in the Champions League. After some speculated the injury could be serious, initial reports suggest it is a relatively minor one. Tests are still pending.</p> <p align="justify"><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110061/lionel-messi">Lionel Messi</a> came on as a sub in the second half of the match against Benfica to try to give Barcelona the win and to tie Gerd Muller's record for most goals in a calendar year.</p>
<p align="justify">When <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110855/gerard-pique">Gerard Pique</a> lifted the ball towards Messi, who sprang free towards goal, it seemed like the record was destined to be broken. Instead, Messi was apparently hurt in a collision with Benfica's goalkeeper Artur.</p>
<p align="justify">Messi kept running, and rather than go down looking for a penalty, attempted a chipped shot which Artur was able to save. However, he immediately fell to the ground and had to be carried off the field.</p>
<p align="justify">As teammate Sergi Roberto said, "when Messi gets hit, he always stands up immediately as if nothing happened." Because of this, Roberto, along with the silent Camp Nou and worried fans across the globe, began to fear the worst.</p>
<p align="justify">Some speculated it could be an ACL tear, which would sideline the Argentine magician for several months. However, the good news is that initial reports suggest the injury is actually relatively small.</p>
<p align="justify">FC <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.barcablaugranes.com/">Barcelona's</a> Director of Football Andoni Zubizarreta declared that the injury seemed "minor." Goalkeeper Jose Manuel Pinto told reporters that Messi seemed calm and felt fine while the doctors examined him.</p>
<p align="justify">Since, the club has said that Messi has suffered a big knock on the outside of his left knee, but an MRI test is being done as a precaution. Barca's coach <span>Tito Vilanova</span> said "the feeling is: it's not bad, but it's early."</p>
<p align="justify">If it's just the external bruise, Messi shouldn't be out long. A week, maybe.</p>
<p align="justify">Journalist Guillem Balague said Messi was walking all right in the dressing room. "Only a scare," Balague wrote on his Twitter account.</p>
<p align="justify">Football fans certainly hope that's the case.</p>
https://www.barcablaugranes.com/2012/12/5/3733184/lionel-messis-serious-looking-injury-probably-not-that-seriousLuis Mazariegos